Attendance

Regular attendance at school promotes pupils’ well-being and gives them the best chance of learning and reaching their potential. Pupils should attend school every day the school is open unless the reason for the absence is unavoidable.

Good attendance is important because pupils:

• get on better with learning and other children;
• cope better with school routines, work and friendships;
• find learning easier because they do not miss out;
• are more successful moving between primary school, secondary school, higher education and employment or training;
• are known to be safe and well by us.

Research shows a direct link between high attendance and doing well at school. All children have the right to an education. 

Illness

If your child is unable to attend school because of illness, please inform the school by note or telephone as soon as possible by leaving a message on the absence line. Please note that you are expected to call every day that your child is absent from school.

As instructed by the Medical Officer of Health, we request parents/carers ensure the following:

• a child’s bowel action should have been normal for 48 hours before being sent back to school after an attack of diarrhoea
• a child has been free from vomiting for 48 hours before being returned to school
• a child has been free from fever, without the use of medication, for 24 hours before returning to school

Lates

Children who arrive in school after 8:55am will be registered as late.

Unauthorised Absences

To comply with the legislation, we record all unauthorised absences and these are reported to parents on their child’s annual school report. Children who arrive later than 9:20am are recorded as an unauthorised absence.

Please tell us why your child is absent from school. Without notification from parents/carers, an absence has to be recorded as 'unauthorised'. Children with poor attendance are referred to the EWO (Educational Welfare Officer.)

Sarah Handcock (Attendance Officer) and Mahad Ali (Education Welfare Officer) monitor absences and lates and will contact parents with any concerns.

Request for a Leave of Absence

Mendip Green Primary School has adopted national guidelines on parents requesting leave of absence for their child. A leaflet containing information on these guidelines can be found in the foyer or please ask at the school office.

What if my child has a hospital appointment?

If your child is going to be off for a medical appointment, please let us know in advance ensure that you provide the office with a copy of the appointment letter or text message confirming the appointment. Routine appointments (such as dental check-ups, opticians etc.) should be made out of school hours.

What happens if my child doesn't attend school?

We monitor the attendance of all of our children. If your child is frequently absent from school, we will do our best to support you with strategies to ensure your child can attend. If you are struggling to get your child into school, or find that you’re frequently late, please speak to someone in school as there is support we can give you. We also meet every term with the Education Welfare Officer (EWO).

If your child is persistently absent and strategies we put in place with you do not improve your child's attendance, you may be required to attend a meeting with the EWO. If further improvements are not made, then a fine may be issued.